2 weeks Ago
A thick blanket of water hyacinth covers the Mula river near Holkar Bridge. Residents claim the authorities have made scant efforts to clean this vital waterbody, despite repeated complaints. The weed is a major bio-indicator of organic pollution in the river.
Vishal Gaikwad, a regular visitor to the nearby riverside garden, said, "The river has disappeared under this vegetation. There is a huge problem of mosquitoes. Constant swarms of disease-bearing vectors is a chronic issue at this spot.
" Concerns about the spread of malaria, dengue, chikungunya and more are rife, said others. City-based activists have pointed out that over 50% of untreated sewage from Pune still flows into its rivers, even as the Mula-Mutha pollution abatement project progresses at a snail's pace.
